Quick Actions
- Invite people who work on similar topics, including other technical committees.
- Make it clear how people can take part at each step.
- Offer simple, task-based ways to help for example reviewing a draft, or giving feedback.
- Make sure people with lived experience of disability are included and supported whilst they attend these meetings.
Long-term Actions
- Have meetings that are open to everyone. This can help users of the standard, advocates, and technical experts meet and talk together in the same room. Not every meeting needs to be open but it’s helpful to have planned times when anyone can join, listen, share ideas and offer input.
- Give committees the support and tools they need to include external contributors.
Related Actions
- Establish continuous feedback loops
- Provide more than one way to give feedback
- Make communications multi-modal and consistent
- Recruit across D/disability and intersectional identity
- Be transparent in the application process
Examples
- USA – American National Standards Institute (ANSI) ANSI uses open comment periods and webinars to allow public feedback on standards, particularly from disability organizations, with accessible formats for all.
- India – Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) BIS has an online consultation platform where anyone, including disabled individuals, can review drafts, with plain language summaries and accessible design to enhance participation.
- Australia – Standards Australia Standards Australia releases draft standards publicly and provides easy online feedback channels, along with alternative formats and online workshops for inclusive participation.
- Canada – Digital Governance Standards Institute (DGSI) DGSI has adopted an open technical committee model that welcomes wide participation and encourages diversity. Their standards development process is made publicly available from the outset, and individuals can join at different stages based on their availability and interest. There are no limits on the number of participants per committee, nor are there set time commitments that allow people to contribute flexibly, based on their capacity.